This beer is spot on! It pours a dark ruddy/cloudy copper colour and has a finger and a half or so of head which disippates quickly. Grassy, earthy hop aroma...This beer is loaded with english hops (Challenger, maybe FUGGLES??) which marries nicely with caramelly, toffee flavored malts. I believe I can taste a hint of complex Maris Otter malts. This brewer knew what he was up to - this beer is extremely well balanced. Overall taste is wonderful in this medium bodied, low to moderately carbonated, smooth drinking beer. This beer would pair wonderfully with an array of fine foods - or just by itself. Brewed with the spring water drawn from the headsprings of the Otter River, this beer has become a regular in my portfolio.

Bottle (gift) consumed at home. Ruby brown. A bit of head, and not as much carbonation as you’d usually expect in a ’supermarket bitter’. Excellent nose: fruitcake, molasses, a hint of smoke. Blackberry and cooton candy. A sweet taste that is satisfying despite not really living up to the aroma. Balanced yet complex bitter finish. Quite a good recipe really, at a strength befitting the beer.

Bottle. Dark copper colour, rocky head that does not stay long, almost no lacing. Aroma is mostly herbal hops, some toffee. Light bitterness, the beer is rather dry, with bitter finish. Light body, soft carbonation, very easy to drink. Quite ok, although the taste might be more intensive.

I don’t even know with Wychwood anymore. It’s either my favourite shitty brewery or my least favourite awesome brewery. I have never had one of their beers truly disappoint me, but I have also never had the pleasure of one truly wowing me. Even though as I drink this I am gradually increasing the score. Pretty, sure, but there is something weird and fruity going on here. Maybe I like it one sip. Maybe not the next. It’s like a light fruitcake or a mild plum pudding, some dark cherry liqueur got spilled in it. Like some brown with sexy nondescript jam on it. This one has some nice body, a lil’ chomp I reckon, better than their usual fare. Alrighty, now I want to watch "Oliver" so this must be a bit of okay then.

Poured from a 500cl bottle into a pint glass.
Aroma- Has a nice caramel and malt aroma.
Appearance- A rich dark brown color with a tan colored head.
Taste-A toasted malt and yeast flavor with a caramel aftertaste.
Palate- A medium bodied brew with light carbonation and a slightly oily feel.
Overall- A really enjoyable ESB for me, I will definitely drink this again.

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